When you talk about the Queen of Soul, it’s almost impossible to narrow her career down to just one song. Aretha Franklin had a voice that could shake a church, silence a room, and still somehow sound like it was singing just to you. Over five decades, she stacked up hit after hit — but one track sits above the rest.
Aretha Franklin’s biggest hit was her 1967 version of “Respect.”
Originally written and recorded by Otis Redding, it was Aretha who transformed it into something bigger than a love song. She flipped the perspective, added those unforgettable “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” chants, and turned it into an anthem for both the civil rights movement and women’s liberation.
The single shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned her two Grammy Awards. More than that, it cemented her as a voice for empowerment and change.
That said, Aretha wasn’t a one-hit wonder. Far from it. Tracks like:
Think
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
Chain of Fools
I Say a Little Prayer
all became timeless classics and remain staples of soul and pop playlists. But none of them quite reached the cultural impact of Respect.
More than 50 years later, “Respect” still hits hard. It’s more than just a soul single — it’s a demand, a celebration, and a reminder that music can shift culture.
For Aretha, it wasn’t just her biggest hit on the charts. It was the song that defined her career, gave her a permanent seat at the head of the table, and secured her crown as the Queen of Soul.
So, what was Aretha Franklin’s biggest hit?
“Respect.” A two-and-a-half-minute masterclass in soul power, turned into a lifelong anthem for dignity, strength, and pride.
Because Aretha didn’t just sing songs. She sang history.
Respect
CBGB was never about polish. It was loud, cramped, messy, and honest. It was the kind of place where the music mattered more than how things looked. That spirit is exactly why CBGB shirts still mean something, and why the fit should actually work for the people wearing them.
Bon Jovi’s music has always been built around connection. Big choruses, recognizable hooks, and songs that people carried with them through different stages of life. That same familiarity shows up in the visuals tied to the band.
Bon Jovi’s image has always been closely tied to the music. From album artwork to tour visuals, the look evolved alongside the sound without ever losing its identity. That consistency is part of why the band’s imagery is still instantly recognizable.
